So, we’ve been without internet this last week.  It seems fitting since this was my first week at home by myself with Aidan.  It was really nice not being distracted with all the feeds I feel I have to read, no phone (we get our phone through skype).  Maybe it was something God planned so that I could take a week and really bond with Aidan and get back in the routine of doing my daily devotionals and prayer.

But I didn’t choose this.

It seems to be a perfect financial storm.  Last month at Olan Mills, they cut me down to around 20 hours per week, well actually they cut my hours just after Christmas.  Also, this was an hour drive into work each day (and an hour home too).  So for the last two months we’ve been living on around $600 a month (excluding taxes because I never see those anyway).  Rent is $525 by itself, leaving around $75 for electric, car insurance, internet, gas, and etc.  Oh, and don’t forget the birth of Aidan in there.  Our first child.  The brakes went out on one car too.

This was the last three months.

Well, we are two months behind on most of our bills.  Internet has been cut off.  Electric is pending disconnection.  I am writing from the coffee shop because they have wifi though I won’t be buying anything today. 

These have been three months of intense prayer and change in our lives.

Let me start by thanking a few people:

• Our Families.  Becca’s grandpa sent us a $500  gift card as a late Christmas gift in January.  Becca’s parents gave us numerous things for the little one as well as a little financial help.  My parents also helped us out in various ways including letting me borrow the truck over the last months.  My mom also held a baby shower for us among family.
• Discovery Church.  The people there held a baby shower in December for us.  I think we’ve finally gotten the stamps to send out the thank you cards.  For the nice people who lent us a bassinet for that first month (who just sent me a message on facebook asking about Aidan).
• Community Wesleyan Church.  Both for financial help and support and prayer.  (The small group has been a great blessing to all of us on Sunday nights).  It’s nice to be back.
• Baptist Towers.  For the baby shower.  I don’t even personally know these people, but it’s where Becca worked before she married me.  Becca’s mom also works there.
• West Covington Baptist Church.  For a baby shower too.  You people are great.  We’ll try to visit more often in the future, but it has been hard as of late as this post details.
• David Hayward of Naked Pastor.  I’ve been hosting his sites for free over the last few months.  I didn’t ask for any kind of payment.  He’s been going through some financial difficulties too.  But, recently he told Becca and I to go out to dinner on a little money he sent via paypal.  We needed it desperately.  We got a chance to go out to eat and talk and debrief over the last few months and talk about some decisions we hadn’t had the opportunity to talk over yet.  I ate a breadstick at Olive Garden for you David.

Internet isn’t back on yet, but Becca got a better paying job at hhgregg that is full-time.  I left Olan Mills to be a stay-at-home dad as soon as we knew Becca got the new job.  I am expecting a check from hostmonster for affiliate payout.  I will probably put it down on Electric or Internet if it comes today.  I get my last check from Olan Mills on Thursday night.  Becca will get paid on April 2nd for her first two weeks at hhgregg so I think rent will be taken care of then.  I have a guy I do web design for that will pay me the rest of the year if I ask (I am trying not to ask and be that pesky web guy who keeps asking for a month’s advance even though he doesn’t see it that way).

We are not out of the hot water yet, but there is more hope than we’ve felt over the last few months.  Thank you for your prayers.  for the readers who keep coming back expecting updates and haven’t seen any.  (I am sorry by the way… soon I hope I can resume normal posting.)

In Christ,

~William Lehman